Addis Ababa, December 6, 2017 (FBC) –The economic integration that Ethiopia and Djibouti are forging could be a model for the aspired regional integration in East Africa, Ethiopia’s Transport Minister Ahmed Shide said.

Ahmed made the remark at the Regional Integration and Private Investment in Infrastructure Forum being held in Djibouti.

The Minister said the two countries have embarked on a number of projects that enhance integration and are exemplary for countries that wish to enhance integration.

He mentioned some of the infrastructure networks being developed by the two countries to enhance integration including the 4.5 billion US dollars railway line, which is on trial.

In addition to the Addis Ababa -Djibouti railway line, the two countries have launched three road projects to connect with each other, according to him.

Telecom and provision of potable water are also another area of cooperation between the two countries.

The Minister has also highlighted Ethiopia’s desire to engage in the development of infrastructure facilities that would allow Ethiopia enhance integration with countries in the region.

Djibouti’s Minister of Economy and Finance Ilyas Dawaleh, asserted that his country’s growth is depended on the development and stability of its neighbors particularly Ethiopia, that executes more than 90 percent of its import-export trade through Djibouti.

He noted that Djibouti will continue to benefit from the robust economic growth in Ethiopia as it boosts the import-export transaction that executed through Djibouti.

Recognizing the importance of cooperating with Ethiopia, the Minister said his country will sustain activities that would help to connect with Ethiopia through road, railway and power infrastructure.